With the aim to design bioactive dental restorative material, the present study investigated the influence of the antimicrobial agents chlorhexidine diacetate (CHX) and octinidine (di)hydrochloride (ODH) when incorporated in two different materials. Selected parameters were polymerization enthalpy, short‐term drug release, and the effect on Streptococcus mutans as well as human gingival fibroblasts. Samples were made by mixing a nano‐hybrid ormocer (O) and a methacrylate‐based nano‐hybrid composite (C), each with a mass fraction of 2% CHX or ODH. Release profiles and concentrations of active agents from the resins were assessed, and the cell proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts as well as Streptococcus mutans cultured with the eluates were evaluated. The influence on polymerization was assessed by means of differential scanning calorimetry. Both drugs, especially ODH, showed a decreasing effect on polymerization enthalpies associated with a lowered crosslinking degree. At the same time ODH appeared to be released more persistently than CHX. Moreover, ODH was more efficient with regard to bacteria growth inhibition but also more cytotoxic in terms of reduction of cell viability. ODH is deemed more appropriate for application in a dental resin‐based drug delivery system, because of the more persistent drug release than seen for CHX.

Oleamide is used as a lubricant in the manufacturing and application of polypropylene (PP) medical devices. Samples of PP were prepared with 0, 1500, and 15 000 ppm oleamide content as lubricant. The samples were either left non-sterile, sterilized with ethylene oxide (ETO), γ-radiation (γ) or autoclaved (A) and stored for up to 4 weeks. To determine the oleamide bulk-to-surface distribution depending on sterilization method and storage time an extraction method and a washing technique were applied. The oleamide content was determined by gas chromatography (GC-FID) and compared with the coefficient of friction (COF). The COF dependent on the measured lubricant content at the surface. The content of lubricant on the surface depends on the type of sterilization: ETO increased the lubricant content to some extent, γ-sterilization and autoclaving reduced it. After storage, no migration of the lubricant to the surface could be detected.

The present study reports on the long-term drug release and mechanical properties of bioactive dental filling materials based on chlorhexidine diacetate (CHX) or octinidine (di)hydrochloride (ODH) incorporated in a composite based on dimethacrylates or an ormocer. CHX or ODH were added to a nano-hybrid ormocer (O) and a nanohybrid composite (C) with the amount of 2 wt% to achieve four matrix-drug combinations: O-CHX, O-ODH, C-CHX, and C-ODH. Drug extraction and release were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD), while drug distribution was assessed by using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Drug release in water at 37˚C was observed over 87 d. To determine the material properties, the water absorption, water solubility, flexural strength and hardness were measured and compared to the reference materials. Persistent drug release over 87 d was observed for both ODH-based systems and both ormocer-systems, with the longest duration of activity seen for the O-ODH combination. Persistent drug release was achieved via the loosening of the polymer network indicated via decreasing polymerization enthalpies, enhanced water absorption, and water solubility. As a consequence, the flexural strengths of the materials were reduced. However, surface hardness was hardly reduced. ODH seems to be more adequate than CHX for the design of bioactive dental filling materials based on nanohybrid ormocer and composites.

Additive manufacturing of dental prostheses e.g. composite materials is continuously finding broader application in dentistry. In the oral environment, the materials are subjected to hydrolysis and accelerated hydrolysis by enzymes. With the aim to compare an additively manufactured composite with a self-curing and a CAD/CAM material of the same composition, the effect of enzymatic degradation and hydrolysis on the materials were investigated. The experimental composites consisted of 50 wt. % inorganic filler and 50 wt. % monomer matrix (BisEMA, BisGMA, TEGDMA). The influence of hydrolysis via a buffer system was investigated in comparison to enzymatic degradation by cholesterol esterase over 22 days. The detection of degradation products over time was conducted by HPLC-DAD analysis. Degradation products and monomers calibrated were: TEGDMA, BisGMA, BisEMA, MA, TEGMA, Bis-HPPP and E-bis-PA. Surface roughness of polished specimens was measured by AFM and hardness with a Vickers micro hardness tester. After enzymatic degradation and hydrolysis, BisGMA was detected in the eluates of the additively manufactured composites. The samples fabricated by CAD/CAM behaved similar during hydrolysis, where additionally MA was detected. After enzymatic degradation, furthermore TEGMA and BisEMA were detected qualitatively. In contrast, the self-curing material exhibited traces of MA, TEGMA, TEGDMA and BisGMA after enzymatic degradation. Hereof detectable upon hydrolysis were MA, TEGMA and BisGMA. Surface roughness was comparable for all manufactured samples whereas the hardness was lowest of the 3D printed material. Enzymatic degradation and hydrolysis had no effect on surface roughness and hardness. The additively manufactured composite appeared to have low susceptibility to enzymatic degradation and hydrolysis. Due to the manufacturing process, the polishability and initial hardness are poorer.